Communal Award and Poona Pact (1932) Archives

1. Mahatma Gandhi’s opposition to separate electorates for untouchables w

Mahatma Gandhi’s opposition to separate electorates for untouchables was because

separate electorates would ensure them bondage in perpetuity

of the apprehension of offending the conservative high caste Hindus

it would weaken Mahatma Gandhi's position as a leader

None of the above

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UPSC CAPF – 2013

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The correct answer is A. Mahatma Gandhi opposed separate electorates for untouchables because he believed it would permanently segregate them from the rest of the Hindu community, thereby perpetuating their untouchable status and preventing their social integration.

– The issue arose with the British Communal Award of 1932, which proposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (untouchables).
– Gandhi saw this as a political tactic to divide Hindus and feared it would institutionalize the social separation of untouchables.
– He undertook a fast unto death against separate electorates, which led to the Poona Pact (1932) between Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar.
– The Poona Pact replaced separate electorates with reserved seats for Depressed Classes within the general electorate.

Gandhi’s primary concern was the social and religious unity of Hinduism and the upliftment of the Depressed Classes (whom he called Harijans) within the existing social framework, rather than through political separation. Ambedkar, while initially favouring separate electorates for political empowerment, agreed to the Poona Pact under pressure from Gandhi’s fast.

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2. Consider the following statements about the issue of separate electora

Consider the following statements about the issue of separate electorate during the early decades of the twentieth century in India as a means to secure adequate representation for the deprived social categories in the absence of universal adult franchise :

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1. The All India Depressed Classes Association of M.C. Rajah was staunchly in favour of joint electorate.
2. The All India Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference demanded separate electorate.
3. The Communal Award in September 1932 recognised the right to separate electorate for the ‘untouchables’.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC NDA-1 – 2024

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All three statements are correct.

The issue of separate electorates versus joint electorates with reserved seats was a major point of contention regarding representation for the Depressed Classes in the early 20th century. Different leaders and organizations held varying positions on this matter at different times.

1. The All India Depressed Classes Association, particularly under the leadership of M.C. Rajah, was associated with advocating for joint electorates with reserved seats, notably through the Rajah-Moonje Pact of 1932, as opposed to separate electorates favoured by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the time. So, statement 1 is correct.
2. The All India Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference held in 1930, presided over by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, formally demanded separate electorates for the Depressed Classes to ensure their effective representation, as he believed joint electorates would not achieve this. So, statement 2 is correct.
3. The Communal Award announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in August 1932 indeed recognized separate electorates for the ‘Untouchables’ (Depressed Classes), alongside other communities like Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans. This award prompted Mahatma Gandhi’s fast unto death and led to the Poona Pact. So, statement 3 is correct.

3. Which one of the following gave reserved seats for the Depressed Class

Which one of the following gave reserved seats for the Depressed Classes in the provincial and central legislative councils that were to be voted in by the general electorate?

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First round table conference

Second round table conference

Poona pact

Government of India Act, 1935

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2020

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The Communal Award announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in 1932 proposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes. Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed this, leading to his fast unto death. This prompted negotiations between Congress and the leaders of the Depressed Classes, particularly B.R. Ambedkar, resulting in the Poona Pact (1932). The Poona Pact abandoned the idea of separate electorates for the Depressed Classes but provided for reserved seats for them in the provincial and central legislative councils, which were to be voted in by the general electorate. This was a compromise solution.

The Poona Pact (1932) established the system of reserved seats for the Depressed Classes within the joint/general electorate, replacing the separate electorates proposed by the Communal Award. The Government of India Act, 1935 later codified these provisions.

The First and Second Round Table Conferences discussed constitutional reforms but did not result in the specific agreement regarding reserved seats in the general electorate for the Depressed Classes; this was a direct outcome of the Communal Award and Gandhi’s fast leading to the Poona Pact. The Government of India Act, 1935 implemented the system agreed upon in the Poona Pact.

4. Which one among the following was demanded by the All India Depressed

Which one among the following was demanded by the All India Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference at Bombay in 1931?

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Universal adult suffrage

Separate electorates for untouchables

Reserved seats for the minorities

A unitary State in India

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2020

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In the period leading up to the Second Round Table Conference in 1931, the political representation of the Depressed Classes (Untouchables) was a highly contentious issue. Leaders of the Depressed Classes, particularly B.R. Ambedkar, strongly advocated for separate electorates for their community, similar to those granted to Muslims by the Morley-Minto Reforms. The All India Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference in Bombay in 1931 would have articulated this primary demand to ensure adequate political power and representation for the untouchables, who faced severe social discrimination.

The demand for separate electorates for the Depressed Classes was a key point of contention at the Second Round Table Conference (1931) and led to the Communal Award announced by the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in 1932, which granted separate electorates to the Depressed Classes. This was opposed by Mahatma Gandhi, leading to his fast unto death and the eventual Poona Pact (1932), where Depressed Classes accepted reserved seats in the general electorate instead of separate electorates.

While universal adult suffrage was a broader goal of the national movement, the specific demand strongly pushed by the Depressed Classes leadership around 1931 was focused on their political rights and representation through separate electorates or reserved seats to address their unique social and political marginalization.